Alternative to Germany: “Whoever continues to make reparation claims against Germany harms European reconciliation”

The Polish President's visit to Germany has rekindled the discussion on the issue of war reparations. An alternate for Germany (AfD) took the level in this case, powerfully rejecting any Polish claims.

As we know, in erstwhile years the Polish government demanded German compensation for war losses of EUR 1.3 trillion. In response, Knut Abraham (CDU), a typical of the German government for relations with Poland, proposed an alternate in the form of military and financial support for Poland – not as a form of reparation, but as a "partnership gesture". Meanwhile, AfD rejects specified an explanation and warns against any concessions.

AfD: ‘Repairs are a closed topic’

Birgit Bessin, AfD MP for the Bundestag and associate of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, commented on the substance in clear terms:

"He who continues to make claims against Germany in 2025 harms European reconciliation. All reparation requests from Poland must be explicitly rejected. The national government cannot give in to force and agree to pay EUR 1.3 trillion."

Bessin besides pointed out that only AfD in the Bundestag would open arms of German national interests and argue any effort to revise the past in this form.

Markus Frohnmaier, AfD's abroad policy spokesperson, besides joined the vote. He stressed that Poland's position has mainly an interior dimension and is not based on binding legal bases:

"Poland officially renounced further reparations in August 1953. Germany, being a associate of the European Union, gave Poland immense financial support both before and after its accession."

According to Frohnmaier, with all due respect to Polish partners, there is no reason to reopen this topic. It adds that an effort to revitalize it can be interpreted as a political tool alternatively than a real request based on facts and global law.

Historical and political context

The position of the German government has been the same for years: “Repair is closed.” This message was besides a consequence to the AfD's intervention in the Bundestag (No. 20/12567), where the subject of the reparation was formally rejected.

Poland in 1953, being in orbit of the influences of the russian Union, was to officially waive claims against Germany. Although the current authorities in Warsaw consider this to be a politically enforced decision, the German side considers the paper mandatory.

Following the fresh elections to the Europarliament, 3 Euro MPs of Sławomir Mentzen's organization Hope joined the fresh Europe of Sovereign Nations in the European Parliament. Its core are alternate politicians.